Lost and Found – Trojan Loader

Today we have a slightly different Lost and Found as it has to do with not a truck but a front end loader. It’s doubtful that this loader will ever see the job site again as the motor is missing and the bucket is full of miscellaneous parts. But, if you don’t pay attention to the missing engine this old unit appears pretty solid. Trojan loaders were just one of the many products manufactured in Upstate and Western New York that have since faded into history. It’s possible that this very one was manufactured in the Batavia plant.

I drove by the City of Oswego barn once and it was huge, tons of old iron moving about. Looked like it was an old factory. Of course, this was years ago but I’m sure there is good stuff still around. It’s not like Oswego can afford to replace anything.

I have what I believe to be Trojan 6000. Has big Cummins. Runs good. Needs lift cylinders on loader resealed as they leak. Tires are good. Main seal on motor leaks. But seems to get better more we use it. (It set for awhile before we got it). Asking 12000.00. thanks 308 520 0091

It just so happens…that I know a “whole-lot” about these machines!!!! For you see….I literally “grew-up” with them!!!!! My Dad…worked for Trojan, for 15 years, 1963 to 75, and was a “field” service manager. He was later promoted to…Product Development Manager. Believe me…”NO ONE” at the Batavia,N.Y. plant….knew these machines….and how to keep ’em running….better than he did!!!!! We actually lived in Batavia, from 1963 to 68. I was driving these machines around the yard at the plant,when I was 12 years old!!!!! There was the 1500,1700,1900,2000,2500,3000,4000,6000,7500,and the 8000. There was also the T-80, an 8000 converted to a “tow-tractor” to pull the AIR-FORCE, C-5 GALAXY cargo-plane, but it lost out to…OSHKOSH. Also…the experimental…6000-“TURBINE”…yes a gas-turbine powered front-end loader….that in my DAD’S own words…..”Couldn’t push a sick-whore off a piss-pot”. Seeing these machines again…bring back many fond memories for me. Hard to believe…that the same plant in Batavia….now produces “wicker furniture!!!!” I guess…”nothing lasts forever”. One thing I can tell ya….in their day….these machines gave Caterpillar….”A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY!!!!!” Bill Hamilton, Tucson, Az.

Bill, I to use to work for Trojan from June 1974 till August 1990. I bet your dad’s name is Don. I worked in the R and D lab. My boss was Bob Moore and he used to work for your dad. Thanks, Bill Ettinger

bill, i’ve been searching for info on a trojan tractor shovel the i recently acquired. i believe its a lt400. i haven’t been able to find any manuals. ssbtractor sold me one listed as an lt400 but they sent me a 400 manual. the loader has a reo engine swapped in to it. i have driven it but i have no idea what ranges its supposed to have. all the labels are missing except the tag on the torqmatic transmission

HI Bill,was just reading some posts about older trojan loaders.Had a few questions have a trojan 134 with gas engine was checking trans and tourque but not sure where to check levels and type of oil in them any info would be greatly appreciated thank you.Or if you could point me in right direction it was my dads old loader and i am getting it fired back up he passed a few years ago and time for me to get it going again.thank you

I have a 134-A Trojan loader that I’m going to refurbish.
it has a info plate on the side that is very readable that has the information that your looking for I believe.
I could take a picture of it for you.

Hi Eric, with regard to the…TROJAN model 6000-“TURBINE”…..I can tell ya that the….”FIRE-BREATHING-DRAGON”, as it was nick-named….never made it out the experimental lab at Batavia. Truth be told….it was a….”engineering nightmare” from the start. The engine, a revolutionary design by the Ford Motor Company….was a gas-turbine configuration. Designed primarily for stationary generator use….it couldn’t stand -up to the constant pounding and jarring, associated with a front-end loader, and was “prone ” to failure!!!! My DAD told me…. that the each engine,was brought in by Ford, in special “covered trucks” at night!!!! Once installed in the 6000, they couldn’t run it inside on the test-stand, because it one time…..”set the lab roof on fire”, from the exhaust!!!!! Hell, every time they took it to the near-by gravel pit to test it under load conditions….it had to be “towed-back” to the lab, due to “ENGINE-FAILURE!!!!!” When a technician from FORD….asked my DAD about the performance of the “TURBINE” under load conditions….he responded with his….”FAMOUS-PHRASE”….”That Goddamn thing couldn’t push a sick-whore off a piss-pot!!!!!” Forgive me, but that’s a direct-quote. The sales manager at the time, George Bassinett, was ready to put this machine out on the market,at a price of I believe, $180,000 dollars. The problem Eric, was that the engine alone….cost, are you ready? $475,000 dollars!!!!!! Now, ask yourself……who in their right mind….is gonna pay $500,000 dollars, for a turbine powered loader, when they can buy a CAT, 966, or 988….for a hell of a lot less???? To sum it up….the “ill-fated” TROJAN 6000 “TURBINE”, was a “failure”, from the start!!!!! Bill Hamilton, Tucson, Az.

Bill, if I send you pictures of a Trojan Yale, can you identify it for me and help me get a manual and repairs done? Its the one that looks like eye brows over the lights, small unit with 2 yard bucket, no doors, sliding window to climb in and out

Bill good to see that you are still up on trojan. I worked for town of batavia highway and we had nothing but good luck with all of our loaders. Does george and swede in pavilion ny still work on these? Oh by the way we went to school together.

By the way Eric…..It was “my-pleasure” to share my memories of Trojan loaders with ya!!!!! They were well-built machines….ready to take-on CAT, and just about anything you could throw at ’em!!!!!! My fondest memory….is the day we “PARADED” all 14 machines, down Main Street in Batavia, out to the Holiday Inn….for a big sales and promotional show. Talk about a “once in a lifetime” sight….you would have loved it!!!!! 14 machines, from the LM75….to the 6000….in single-file, driven by all the “secretaries” wearing mini-skirts, black panty hose, and….white “thigh-high boots!!!!” Needless to say….”IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!” Batavia….hasn’t been the same since!!!! If ya get the chance to get up-close to that machine…or find another Trojan, there’s a good-chance that my DAD’S fingerprints, are “all over it!!!!” And…..if ya look really-close….you might even find some of mine too!!!!! “All The Best”……..Bill Hamilton, Tucson, Az.

i worked at trojan for 20 years when they went out of busness i purchesed all parts in building i have 5 buildings full.i sell all ofer us canade mexcio i have copies of all manules i h i knew don ave the prints for most of parts i buy used machines and tear them down for parts i knew don and bill

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone could help me out in cross referencing the rear output shaft seal for my 1500Z. The Trojan part number is listed as 6901576 but I can not find anyone who can cross this part number over to a SKF, Timken, National, or any other part number that I can actually purchase. I know I could likely pull the seal and measure to find the replacement but I was hoping to have the new one on hand before I made the repair.

Also I have a couple of questions that maybe someone with an operators manual (which I do not have) for the loader maybe able to answer.
1. What is the oil capacity for the transmission?
2. What should I be running for oil in the transmission? ATF or hydraulic fluid?
3. Is the temperature gauge located on the dash second from the right between the pressure gauge and hour meter measuring the engine temp, hydraulic fluid temp, or transmission temp?

If anyone knows the answer to any of my questions your knowledge would be greatly appreciated. I purchased the loader a few months ago for next to nothing from a dairy down the road that had upgraded and left it to sit. I use it mostly to move hay bales around the farm but I really don’t know anything about it. All the dairy knew was that the original motor blew and was replaced in 2012 with a new 4 cylinder Cummins and they projected only putting around 500 hours on it since the swap. Unfortunately the local mechanic that did the work on the machine has since passed away leaving me with a lot of questions and no answers. Thank you again in advance for any information.

I have acquired what I believe to be a 1965 trojan road tool LA-40. It has a Hercules flat head 4 cylinder. Still runs and moves. Just completely rewired it. Updated the starter and put a 1 wire gm alternator on it. With tire chains it pushes snow very well here in Minnesota. Bill if you had anywhere to track down info and specs I would love to here about it. Thank You and have a good day.

Does anyone have a hydraulic pump or a source for a 1989 1500Z ? Need one very badly.

Another question, what 3 speed power shift was used in the late model 1500Z. Someone (prior owner) thought it was very wise to remove the labels off the transmission. The hydraulic pump mounts on the RT side.